FIGURE 1.

Diversity of extracellular nanoparticles. EVs are a heterogeneous assortment of lipid bilayer nanoparticles comprised of particles classified based on several criteria. Small and large exosomes are generated by inward budding of endosomal membranes. The membrane encloses an assortment of bioactive macromolecules, including DNA, coding, and non‐coding RNAs, proteins, lipids, and metabolites. Ectosomes (microvesicles, exomeres, supermeres, apoptotic bodies, and cancer‐derived large oncosomes) result from budding from the plasma membrane. EPs are amembranous particles comprised of cell‐free proteins (histones), nucleic acids (dsDNA, mRNA, miRNA), and lipids (HDL, IDL, LDL) and can induce a TLR‐mediated inflammatory response. EP, extracellular particles; EV, extracellular vesicles; TLR, toll‐like receptor.